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Tetramorium duncani
| Tetramorium duncani | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Crematogastrini |
| Genus: | Tetramorium |
| Species group: | solidum |
| Species: | T. duncani |
| Binomial name | |
| Tetramorium duncani Mbanyana, Robertson & Hita Garcia, 2018
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Nothing is known about the biology of Tetramorium duncani.
Identification
Mbanyana et al (2018) - A member of the T. solidum species group. Morphologically, T. duncani is similar to Tetramorium pogonion, Tetramorium rufescens and Tetramorium signatum, but can be distinguished from these species by the acute angle between the dorsum of the petiole and the posterior face when viewed laterally.
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Namibia and South Africa (Northern Cape).
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Namibia, South Africa (type locality).
Distribution based on AntMaps
Distribution based on AntWeb specimens
Check data from AntWeb
Countries Occupied
| Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species. |
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Estimated Abundance
| Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species. |
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Habitat
Known from Namibian Savanna Woodlands and Kalahari Xeric Savanna.
Biology
Castes
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- duncani. Tetramorium duncani Mbanyana, Robertson & Hita Garcia, 2018: 21, figs. 3N, 10, 24 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA.
Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.
Description
Worker
(N = 5) HL 1.033–1.266 (1.132); HW 1.033–1.266 (1.116); SL 0.723–0.865 (0.798); EL 0.297–0.362 (0.320); PH 0.374–0.482 (0.452); PW 0.672–0.840 (0.716); WL 1.072–1.382 (1.168); PSL 0.148–0.187 (0.163); PTH 0.325–0.433 (0.358); PTL 0.297–0.336 (0.318); PTW 0.323–0.413 (0.364); PPH 0.465–0.607 (0.519); PPL 0.284–0.336 (0.310); PPW 0.413–0.555 (0.475); OI 27–31 (29); CI 97–100 (99); SI 68–75 (71); DMI 59–63 (61); LMI 35–44 (39); PSLI 12–17 (15); PeNI 48–54 (51); LPeI 78–96 (89); DPeI 104–123 (115); PpNI 62–69 (66); LPpI 54–68 (60); DPpI 139–168 (153); PPI 128–134 (130).
Holotype. Mandibles with fine longitudinal striations. Anterior clypeal margin with conspicuous, semicircular indentation. Frontal carinae fading out before reaching back of posterior eye margin. Eyes with 16 ommatidia in longest row. Propodeum armed with pair of long spines (PSLI 12–17). Metapleural lobes low, rounded. Peduncle lacking subpetiolar process. Petiolar node in profile nodiform, with anterior face rounding onto dorsum and dorsum forming acute angle with posterior face. Postpetiolar node low and rounded. Dorsal surfaces of head with longitudinal striations, spaces between them with superficial ground sculpture. Dorsum of mesosoma with short longitudinal striations, with shiny superficial ground sculpture in between them. Petiolar and postpetiolar nodes with fine reticulate sculpture overlain by few irregular striations. Gastral tergite with fine, superficial reticulate pattern. Dorsum of head with four long erect pairs of hairs. Ventral surface of head with strongly developed psammophore. Remaining dorsum of the body without any standing hairs. Colour blackish brown.
Type Material
Holotype. Namibia: worker, Withuis, 11 km N of Grunau on B1, 27°36.447′ S, 18°23.920′ E, 1243 m a.s.l., 3 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027003). South African Museum Paratypes (9 pinned workers). Namibia: Withuis, 11 km N of Grunau on B1, 27°36.447′ S and 18°23.920′ E, 1243 m a.s.l., 3 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027003); Withuis, 11 km N of Grunau on B1, 27°36.504′ S and 18°23.823′ E, 1241 m a.s.l., 2 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027004); Withuis, 11 km N of Grunau on B1, 27°36.447′ S and 18°23.920′ E, 1243 m a.s.l., 3 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027010); Kyffhauser, 24°28.708′ S and 16°20.148′ E, 1381 m a.s.l., 6 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027013); ca 132 km from Mariental on M29, 25°16.795′ S, 18°37.635′ E,18 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027001).
Etymology
Named after Duncan Robertson, who assisted with field work, including photography of ants.
References
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- Mbanyana N., F. Hita Garcia, H. G. Robertson, and J. J. Le Roux. 2018. A taxonomic revision of seed harvester ants of the Tetramorium solidum group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in southern Africa. European Journal of Taxonomy 454: 1-59.